dn't have troubled you."

Wanda's quick, ready smile flashed out at this and she came forward,
putting out her hand.

"I'm glad that you did come," she said cordially. "You must be tired
to death and simply frozen. If you'll come up to the fire and take off
your things I'll make some tea or coffee."

Claire Hazleton's slim gloved hand accepted Wanda's, touching it
lightly.

"You are too kind," she began formally. "If it wouldn't be too much
bother--"

"Nonsense," laughed Wanda. "If you'll make yourself cozy at the fire
I'll be back in a moment."

Hurrying out, Wanda had a glimpse of Willie Dart standing on the porch,
his hands in his pockets, his big innocent eyes beaming approvingly at
the snow and the sky and the world in general. As she went on her way
to the kitchen, Mr. Dart, having in turn looked approvingly at her,
shifted his gaze to the panting saddle horse standing with drooping
head at the steps, and then, putting his hands under his coat tails, he
returned to the living room. Claire Hazleton had just removed her
outer wraps and was warming her hands at the fire. Mr. Dart, noticing
the cluster of rings on her fingers, flapped his coat tails up and down
and closed the door behind him with his elbow.

"Say," he began pleasantly, "it's fierce outside, ain't it? Talk about
a slush party. Ain't this a ring tailed dandy?"

She turned upon him slowly and bestowed upon him a long stare, frankly
curious. Then she laughed.

"It certainly is a ring tailed dandy," she admitted musically. "You
aren't Mr. Leland, are you?"

Dart laughed too, his amusement apparently as genuine as hers, and
entirely unabashed by the unconcealed appraisal of her glance at him.

"You're joshing," he retorted, coming closer so that while he could
look at her he could turn his coat tails to the fire. "There's as much
difference between me and my old pal Mart as there is between you and a
picture of a little country girl picking buttercups."

"You don't think I look the part?" she smiled.

"You?" He favoured her with the full measure of his supreme impudence
as he looked her over. "You're just built to play the queen's part in
a tragedy show on Broadway. After the first night there'd be just one
theatre doing business."

She frowned quickly, her eyes darkening as they had when she struck
with her whip at her tired horse. Then she shrugged her shoulders and
laughed again.

"You're very flattering," she said in